A strong work ethic and an honest and open approach when dealing with their customers,
are the factors sited as keys to the success of a Terra Alta family, that has been in Business
for nearly 30 years.
Delano's is a furniture and floor covering business that is managed today by Delano Fultz
and his sons Chuck and Kent. The venture was started by Delano in the early '70s, as
what the family jokingly refers to as a "junk and rag" business.
"Dad was always looking for ways to make money when we were kids and he
always had a store of some kind operating in the summer and would work the woods
or do other things in the winter when business was slow. He started this current
business with $200 and a truckload of used furniture, and with a lot of hard work it
has now grown into a business that generated more than $2 million last year." Chuck
explained.
His son recalls Delano never waited for salesmen to come to his door with bargains for
his customers, but instead traveled to Washington, Pittsburgh, Georgia and the Carolinas
to look for good used and new merchandise.
For several years the Terra Alta store also sold used clothing and many discount household
items, and Chuck fondly remembers the years when Friday was "shoe day" at the
store.
"There were several years when we sold used shoes along with the clothing, and you
would not believe how crowded the store would be on "shoe day." Women came
from all around the area to buy shoes for .5O a pair or three pairs for a $1, and they
weren't just the low income people who came to shop, because after all everybody
likes a bargain when they can get it." he said.
The business grew through the '70s and early '80s and was expanded to include more
new furniture than used. Then when the coal business started to decline in the '80s and
money got tight for many families, the business took another turn and floor covering
became the more marketable item.
Over the years the two brothers and their three sisters worked for their father in the store,
and they also traveled with him on occasion when he went looking for merchandise.
"We all took our turn helping out and I think it was good for us. It helped us
understand how hard it can be to make a living, and Dad also taught us if and when
one venture isn't going well, then you have to get busy and look for some other route.
That is how and why the business continues to grow still today." Chuck
said.
The customer base for the furniture business has always been primarily from Preston
and Garrett Counties, but the addition of the floor covering has resulted in expansion into
Pennsylvania, as well as throughout North Central West Virginia.
"This business was built on my father's reputation for providing quality merchandise
at the lowest price. Our service has also been a key to success, because the customers
know if something isn't right when they get it, we will make it right."
In addition to the business that started in Terra Alta, the family has also expanded their
interests in recent years to include a second store in Deep Creek, and have a used car lot
and rental storage buildings, and provide moving service for local families.
The business has grown from one employee to 26, and Delano recently opened up
another store in Terra Alta, again selling the used furniture and other discount items that
gave him his start.
"My Dad loves being back in the 'junk business' at the other store and he
likes having time to visit with customers. He has always had a real interest in helping
people and his customers appreciate and like him because of that. We have learned a lot
about business and how to treat our customers from Dad, and that is how the
second generation will continue to operate." Chuck stressed.
|
